New Era Galapagos Foundation

The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are located approximately 1,000 km (625 miles) off the coast of Ecuador. They are comprised of thirteen islands and over forty islets. Some 18,000 humans inhabit five of the islands (San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Floreana, and Baltra), and 97% of the islands' total area is designated as National Park land. San Cristobal Island, the easternmost island and home to the New Era Galapagos Foundation, has roughly 5,000 residents.

San Cristobal is the name of the island. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the name of the principal town on the island, a port on the ocean where the New Era Galapagos Foundation is located. The population of the whole island is approximately 6,500, most of whom live in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Climate

There are two seasons in the Galapagos, a dry season and a wet season. Surprisingly, the "dry season", from June to November, tends to be cloudier and cooler, and frequently there is a mist in the air, called the garúa, more so in the highlands than in town. While real rain is infrequent, it does occur during the dry season. When the sun is out, it can be quite warm, even hot, and evenings are quite cool. The "wet season", from December to May, tends to be much hotter, with more frequent rain and also more intense sun.

Daily Life

The pace of life in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and on San Cristobal is laid back and casual. While many people have emigrated here from mainland Ecuador, many others have lived here all their lives. They live here for the tranquility and peaceful lifestyle of the island. The local people are very friendly and helpful. Dress and customs are informal.

Transport on San Cristobal

While a few people in town have private cars or trucks, you will notice white taxi/trucks available everywhere. For $1, you can ride anywhere in town, and for a couple of dollars you can get a ride to El Progresso. You can walk from one side of the town to the other in about half an hour.

Health and Safety

You should either buy and drink only bottled water or you should boil water before drinking it.

With food, be sure to wash well all fresh fruits and vegetables before eating them. With packaged food, look for expiration dates before you purchase them...the health department frequently has to confiscate food because stores sell food beyond the expiration dates.

If you drink alcohol, it´s best to stick to beer and wine and not to drink hard liquor. Not infrequently bottled liquor has been tampered with, with ethyl alcohol or some other toxic kind of alcohol being substituted.

Relatively speaking, San Cristobal is very safe. Unlike the mainland, there is very little theft and little concern for crime. However, normal precautions should be taken.

Travelling Between the Islands

There are daily boats and a daily (normally) small plane, between San Cristobal and Santa Cruz.

Boat
There are boats to Santa Cruz from the quay in San Cristobal every day at 7am. The cost is $25 one way snd the journey lasts around 2 and a half hours. On calm days it is a picturesque trip and en route you are likely to encounter a variety of sea birds, as well as the possibility of dolphins and even whales.

Plane
If you prefer an alternative to travelling by boat, you can fly to Isabela and Santa Cruz with Emetebe Airlines. The flight is on a small 8 seater plane, which leaves San Cristobal daily (as long as there are passengers), usually in the morning. The flight only takes around 40 minutes, but is a more expensive option than travelling by boat. The office is located at the airport in San Cristobal.